Blackburn Rovers are closing in on a deal to make Dion De Neve their first summer signing, The Lancashire Telegraph understands.
Reports from Belgium claim Rovers are finalising an agreement with Pro League outfit Kortrijk for the 23-year-old. That is understood to be accurate, which would make De Neve Valerien Ismael's first addition of the transfer window.
The deal, should it get over the line, is thought to be worth six figures. An agreement between the two clubs and De Neve is almost in place with minor details left to be ironed out. The player will then need to fly over for a medical and complete the formalities of the transfer.
Rovers want to add more pace and athleticism in wide areas this summer. Ismael has been clear that the focus is on recruiting the right profile of players to fit his style of play.
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De Neve has played the majority of his football on the left side, either as a wing-back, left-back or left midfielder. His best assets match the qualities that Rovers are looking to add in that position.
Whilst the club are well-stocked at left-back with Yuri Ribeiro and Harry Pickering, De Neve is a more attack-minded player. He played the majority of his football as a left-winger and so will likely be viewed an option further forward despite his ability to occupy that position.
Ismael demands his wide players to play with intensity and speed. The head coach started Owen Beck ahead of Ribeiro at the first possible opportunity, away at Portsmouth, given his profile. That is another indication to the thinking behind De Neve's arrival.
For the proposed transfer fee, the 23-year-old is seen as a player that Rovers can develop and extract value from. That will be a large part of the recruitment model this summer with the club keen to box clever in the market against clubs with more financial muscle.
As with any signing, particularly from overseas, that is a gamble and Rovers must find the right balance. They feel the risk with De Neve is worth taking for the raw attributes he possesses.
Rovers are still working on a deal to sign Modibo Sagnan from Montpellier but have not made progress in the last two weeks. The LT reported a fortnight ago that talks were at an advanced stage.
Blackburn still want to add the left-sided defender to their backline but the 26-year-old is assessing his options. There has been reported interest from Leeds United and Sunderland.
Understandably, the allure of a Premier League move is greater for the player. The Black Cats were said to have made a £4.2million bid last week, according to reports from Africa.
It's unclear how serious the interest from England's top flight is or whether Sagnan's representatives are trying to drum up interest in their client, as is standard in any transfer window.
Rovers have other options, should a deal for Sagnan not materialise. Saint-Etinne's Mickael Nade is an alternative option.
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